John Amos’ big film
Mar 04, 2004
John Amos, who acted as Kunta Kinte, in Roots was in Uganda to explore the possibility of investing in the local film and television industry. He has already pledged $50,000 to Ndere Cultural Centre and given $10,000. He returns in three months to pick up where he left off. <b>Sebidde Kiryowa</b> ta
QUESTION: Could you tell us why you are here?
ANSWER: My specific objective is to cultivate a group of young Ugandans who have an interest in film, television and theatrical productions – not just those who wish to become actors but those who wish to gain experience and expertise in film, television and theatrical production. Our people don’t realise the opportunities that exist in the entertainment industry behind the cameras. I bring a wealth of experience spanning over 35 years in film, theatre and television in the US, as a comedian, actor and a director/producer.
You are talking about taking on an industry that is practically non-existent here.
I hope to build on that which is here. You have television stations and there are people who have some degree of technical know-how. I hope to augment that. I even propose to bring Casey Amos, my son, who has a masters in live action film. He got his first degree from the California Institute of the Arts, an institute founded by Walt Disney. Casey was nominated for a Grammy Award for directing a country music video, which is significant because most African-Americans are regarded as only capable of directing rap and R&B. Shanon, my daughter, is an independent film producer. In fact, will be a keynote speaker at the African-American Women in Cinema (AAWIC) Awards in New York, this Friday, (today) at which I will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
How do you feel about being recognised?
The AAWIC award means more to me than an Oscar because it comes from my own people. These Africa-American women have realised my efforts to improve the image of African-Americans and now Africans through television and film. This is meant to counter the image of Africans portrayed by news media such as Cable News Network, (CNN), which in my view stands for Constantly Negative News.
Why did you choose Uganda?
I came as part of a delegation. In our regard, Uganda is teeming with opportunities for investors both culturally and otherwise. There is a high literacy rate and an aggressive posture towards correcting the negativity portrayed about Africans here. But I must also add that Abby Walusimbi, the president of the United African Federation, an umbrella organisation for all African national organisations in America, played a big role in bringing us over here. He identified the place, knew the problems involved in our mission and helped us circumnavigate them.
When you talk about shooting films here, the issue of material comes in. You need writers and screenplays. Have you found any here?
Everybody has a story, which their grandmamma told them. Those stories can be acted out on stage, turned into children’s books and both animated and feature films can be made out of them. I met Steven Rwagyezi of Ndere Centre and was so impressed by the work he is doing here, that I have decided to make the school the centre of my focus. Alex Mukulu is another incredibly talented storyteller, actor and director. In the short time I have met him and have developed strong convictions about his talent and integrity.
An American director/producer in Africa? What is going to be your cultural focus?
When I came here, I needed to find out whether Ugandans have a different concept of humour. But I discovered that the cultural differences as regards to comedy were not insurmountable. In fact, it is the same. So now I know I am home. I have not yet mastered the language but I will return in about three months time and when I do, I will take language lessons. Then, I will be a better director.
Anything concrete in the pipeline?
We are planning to shoot a situation comedy in Kampala and Jinja. We will begin pre-production in about three months time, when I return. We shall also be scouting for talent. One of the people I am working with is Nathan Nabeta the Member of Parliament for Jinja East Municipality. He has travelled all over the US and has a clear understanding of both our cultures.
Any other project?
The other is a bigger project – a motion picture called Motambi And Lindstrom, a piece set against an on-going civil war with all the tragedies that come with it, in a fictitious African country. You might regard it as being reflective about the conditions in northern Uganda. Motambi is a scarred African character who wants the best for his people and will fight for them. Lindstrom is a white American reserve army officer who has been called to active duty in this African country and convince Motambi to surrender to a UN-peace keeping force, in order to save his people. But I cannot put a time frame to this.
Where will the situation comedy air?
We will air it hopefully on WBS TV. I have had dialogue with their executive director and visited their facilities. They are impressive. But we will also be airing it throughout East Africa and will eventually take it to the UK and US where the big market is.
Will the cast comprise of local actors?
Local actors interacting with American actors under my direction. Alex Mukulu might also come on board as a director.
Many film projects set in East Africa are deferred to South Africa because of logistical difficulties. How do you plan to handle this problem?
We are going to import state-of- the-art equipment and make movies that can be exported to the UK and the US. That is why I am here.
Black actors especially Africans, are not that marketable in the film industry probably because Hollywood typecasts them. How do you plan to sell African films against such a negative backdrop?
That problem, as you say is big. But for us as African-American actors, it is common knowledge. We shall tread slowly but surely. As I told you, Alex Mukulu is a good place to start. He is as competent writer and actor as I am. Together, we shall find a story to tell. People in the US. Will have no recourse but to accept what we do. I have met other young aspiring actors and writers, including those with dancing and comic talents that have assured me that I can come to Uganda, stay here and make films that can sell internationally.
Tell us about yourself
I started out as a stand-up comic in New York City, 35 years ago. I am very good at comedy (both writing and acting). I am also a social worker. My first major film was The World’s Greatest Athlete in the early ‘70s which, ironically, was about an American coach who comes to Africa looking for an athlete, who turned out to be white (laughs sarcastically). I did a couple of series like The Mary Tyler Moore Show in which I played a weatherman. But It was Good Times that opened doors, although my groundbreaking role as an actor was playing the adult Kunta Kinte in the TV series Roots. This confirmed my ability to do dramatic roles at a superlative level. My biggest movie to date was Coming To America, which grossed over $350m at the box office.
What was it like working with Eddie Murphy?
Eddie is a naturally funny man with an uncanny sense of timing. He cracked us up behind the scenes all the time. We could not wait to get to work. He is a comic genius (starts mimicking Eddie Murphy, set me and the photographer squealing with laughter).
Ends
ANSWER: My specific objective is to cultivate a group of young Ugandans who have an interest in film, television and theatrical productions – not just those who wish to become actors but those who wish to gain experience and expertise in film, television and theatrical production. Our people don’t realise the opportunities that exist in the entertainment industry behind the cameras. I bring a wealth of experience spanning over 35 years in film, theatre and television in the US, as a comedian, actor and a director/producer.
You are talking about taking on an industry that is practically non-existent here.
I hope to build on that which is here. You have television stations and there are people who have some degree of technical know-how. I hope to augment that. I even propose to bring Casey Amos, my son, who has a masters in live action film. He got his first degree from the California Institute of the Arts, an institute founded by Walt Disney. Casey was nominated for a Grammy Award for directing a country music video, which is significant because most African-Americans are regarded as only capable of directing rap and R&B. Shanon, my daughter, is an independent film producer. In fact, will be a keynote speaker at the African-American Women in Cinema (AAWIC) Awards in New York, this Friday, (today) at which I will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
How do you feel about being recognised?
The AAWIC award means more to me than an Oscar because it comes from my own people. These Africa-American women have realised my efforts to improve the image of African-Americans and now Africans through television and film. This is meant to counter the image of Africans portrayed by news media such as Cable News Network, (CNN), which in my view stands for Constantly Negative News.
Why did you choose Uganda?
I came as part of a delegation. In our regard, Uganda is teeming with opportunities for investors both culturally and otherwise. There is a high literacy rate and an aggressive posture towards correcting the negativity portrayed about Africans here. But I must also add that Abby Walusimbi, the president of the United African Federation, an umbrella organisation for all African national organisations in America, played a big role in bringing us over here. He identified the place, knew the problems involved in our mission and helped us circumnavigate them.
When you talk about shooting films here, the issue of material comes in. You need writers and screenplays. Have you found any here?
Everybody has a story, which their grandmamma told them. Those stories can be acted out on stage, turned into children’s books and both animated and feature films can be made out of them. I met Steven Rwagyezi of Ndere Centre and was so impressed by the work he is doing here, that I have decided to make the school the centre of my focus. Alex Mukulu is another incredibly talented storyteller, actor and director. In the short time I have met him and have developed strong convictions about his talent and integrity.
An American director/producer in Africa? What is going to be your cultural focus?
When I came here, I needed to find out whether Ugandans have a different concept of humour. But I discovered that the cultural differences as regards to comedy were not insurmountable. In fact, it is the same. So now I know I am home. I have not yet mastered the language but I will return in about three months time and when I do, I will take language lessons. Then, I will be a better director.
Anything concrete in the pipeline?
We are planning to shoot a situation comedy in Kampala and Jinja. We will begin pre-production in about three months time, when I return. We shall also be scouting for talent. One of the people I am working with is Nathan Nabeta the Member of Parliament for Jinja East Municipality. He has travelled all over the US and has a clear understanding of both our cultures.
Any other project?
The other is a bigger project – a motion picture called Motambi And Lindstrom, a piece set against an on-going civil war with all the tragedies that come with it, in a fictitious African country. You might regard it as being reflective about the conditions in northern Uganda. Motambi is a scarred African character who wants the best for his people and will fight for them. Lindstrom is a white American reserve army officer who has been called to active duty in this African country and convince Motambi to surrender to a UN-peace keeping force, in order to save his people. But I cannot put a time frame to this.
Where will the situation comedy air?
We will air it hopefully on WBS TV. I have had dialogue with their executive director and visited their facilities. They are impressive. But we will also be airing it throughout East Africa and will eventually take it to the UK and US where the big market is.
Will the cast comprise of local actors?
Local actors interacting with American actors under my direction. Alex Mukulu might also come on board as a director.
Many film projects set in East Africa are deferred to South Africa because of logistical difficulties. How do you plan to handle this problem?
We are going to import state-of- the-art equipment and make movies that can be exported to the UK and the US. That is why I am here.
Black actors especially Africans, are not that marketable in the film industry probably because Hollywood typecasts them. How do you plan to sell African films against such a negative backdrop?
That problem, as you say is big. But for us as African-American actors, it is common knowledge. We shall tread slowly but surely. As I told you, Alex Mukulu is a good place to start. He is as competent writer and actor as I am. Together, we shall find a story to tell. People in the US. Will have no recourse but to accept what we do. I have met other young aspiring actors and writers, including those with dancing and comic talents that have assured me that I can come to Uganda, stay here and make films that can sell internationally.
Tell us about yourself
I started out as a stand-up comic in New York City, 35 years ago. I am very good at comedy (both writing and acting). I am also a social worker. My first major film was The World’s Greatest Athlete in the early ‘70s which, ironically, was about an American coach who comes to Africa looking for an athlete, who turned out to be white (laughs sarcastically). I did a couple of series like The Mary Tyler Moore Show in which I played a weatherman. But It was Good Times that opened doors, although my groundbreaking role as an actor was playing the adult Kunta Kinte in the TV series Roots. This confirmed my ability to do dramatic roles at a superlative level. My biggest movie to date was Coming To America, which grossed over $350m at the box office.
What was it like working with Eddie Murphy?
Eddie is a naturally funny man with an uncanny sense of timing. He cracked us up behind the scenes all the time. We could not wait to get to work. He is a comic genius (starts mimicking Eddie Murphy, set me and the photographer squealing with laughter).
Ends